Putin congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election, expressing hope for continued dialogue based on "shared Christian values."

Cardinal Robert Prevost from the USA has been elected the new pope and has taken the name Leo XIV. The election of the first American pope has resonated widely around the world, with congratulations coming from clergy,

USA Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday and has taken the name Pope Leo XIV a senior cardinal announced to crowds in St. Peter's Square.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russia's Vladimir Putin on Thursday their two countries should be "friends of steel", as they pledged to raise cooperation to a new level and "decisively" counter the influence of the United States.

The Trump administration has said it wants to pull apart Russia and China, but the two countries need each other too much.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a joint statement “further deepening” their partnership following talks in Moscow Thursday – a show of solidarity in the face of global uncertainties unleashed by US President Donald Trump’s “America First” diplomacy.